Section 883 Of Article 8. Universal Telephone Service From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 8.
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. (a) The commission shall, on or before February 1, 2001, issue
an order initiating an investigation and opening a proceeding to
examine the current and future definitions of universal service. That
proceeding shall include public hearings that encourage
participation by a broad and diverse range of interests from all
areas of the state, including, but not limited to, all of the
following:
(1) Consumer groups.
(2) Communication service providers, including all providers of
high-speed access services.
(3) Facilities-based telephone providers.
(4) Information service providers and Internet access providers.
(5) Rural and urban users.
(6) Public interest groups.
(7) Representatives of small and large businesses and industry.
(8) Local agencies.
(9) State agencies, including, but not limited to, all of the
following:
(A) The Government Operations Agency.
(B) The State Department of Education.
(C) The State Department of Public Health.
(D) The California State Library.
(10) Colleges and universities.
(b) The objectives of the proceeding set forth in subdivision (a)
shall include all of the following:
(1) To investigate the feasibility of redefining universal service
in light of current trends toward accelerated convergence of voice,
video, and data, with an emphasis on the role of basic
telecommunications and Internet services in the workplace, in
education and workforce training, access to health care, and
increased public safety.
(2) To evaluate the extent to which technological changes have
reduced the relevance of existing regulatory regimes given their
current segmentation based upon technology.
(3) To receive broad-based input from a cross section of
interested parties and make recommendations on whether video, data,
and Internet service providers should be incorporated into an
enhanced Universal Lifeline Service program, as specified, including
relevant policy recommendations regarding regulatory and statutory
changes and funding options that are consistent with the principles
set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 871.7.
(4) To reevaluate prior definitions of basic service in a manner
that will, to the extent feasible, effectively incorporate the latest
technologies to provide all California residents with all of the
following:
(A) Improved quality of life.
(B) Expanded access to public and private resources for education,
training, and commerce.
(C) Increased access to public resources enhancing public health
and safety.
(D) Assistance in bridging the "digital divide" through expanded
access to new technologies by low income, disabled, or otherwise
disadvantaged Californians.
(5) To assess projected costs of providing enhanced universal
lifeline service in accordance with the intent of this article, and
to delineate the subsidy support needed to maintain the redefined
scope of universal service in a competitive market.
(6) To design and recommend an equitable and broad-based subsidy
support mechanism for universal service in competitive markets in a
manner that conforms with subdivision (c) of Section 871.7.
(7) To develop a process to periodically review and revise the
definition of universal service to reflect new technologies and
markets consistent with subdivision (c) of Section 871.7.
(8) To consider whether similar regulatory treatment for the
provision of similar services is appropriate and feasible.
(c) In conducting its investigation, the commission shall take
into account the role played by a number of diverse but convergent
industries and providers, even though many of these entities are not
subject to economic regulation by the commission or any other
government entity.
(d) The recommendations of the commission shall be consistent with
state policies for telecommunications as set forth in Section 709,
and with all of the following principles:
(1) Universal service shall, to the extent feasible, be provided
at affordable prices regardless of linguistic, cultural, ethnic,
physical, financial, and geographic considerations.
(2) Consumers shall be provided access to all information needed
to allow timely and informed choices about telecommunications
products and services that are part of the universal service program
and how best to use them.
(3) Education, health care, community, and government institutions
shall be positioned as early recipients of new and emerging
technologies so as to maximize the economic and social benefits of
these services.
(e) The commission shall complete its investigation and report to
the Legislature its findings and recommendations on or before January
1, 2002.